Army to host China disaster relief exercise

Oct. 31, 2013 - 07:58AM
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HONOLULU — The U.S. Army will host China’s military in Hawaii next month for an annual disaster relief exercise.

U.S. Army Pacific said Wednesday the two countries will practice providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to a fictional third country during the Nov. 12-14 exchange.

Last year in Chengdu, China, U.S. and Chinese officers sat around a table facing a video screen and discussed how they would respond to an earthquake in a fictional third country.

This year for the first time, U.S. Army and People’s Liberation Army soldiers will train together in a field environment.

U.S. Army Pacific strategy and plans officer Col. John Lee says the event is aimed at showing the countries can work together and cooperate on disaster management, which is important to everyone in the Pacific.